"ENEKO ISLAND, Marshall Islands -- Pacific Island leaders today declared that 'climate change has arrived' and called for an urgent phase down of greenhouse gas emissions to save their low-lying homelands from destruction."

"Announcing the Majuro Declaration for Climate Leadership while surrounded by palm trees on an island about a 40-minute boat trip from the capital atoll, heads of state held up their countries as models by taking proactive steps to boost clean energy, protect shorelines and cut carbon emissions.

'This is a declaration of responsibility,' said Tuiloma Neroni Slade, secretary-general of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.

Dressed in matching Polynesian black and tan shirts, presidents and prime ministers said they want this declaration to be different than the dozens of climate communiqués gathering dust in the annals of history. They noted that in addition to calling on all countries to 'phase down' emissions, the document puts responsibility on islands' shoulders, as well."